Hybrid Characters for Swords and Sorcery Campaign

[JPL]

Looking over the final rules for hybrid characters, I am struck by their potential in a low-magic swords-and-sorcery campaign, for a couple of reasons:

1. Assuming that most of the PCs will have the martial power source, hybrids give a lot more variety.

2. Hybridization of a martial class with a non-martial class gives you a hero who has some magical abilities without making those powers the main shtick. With certain classes (bard or barbarian, for instance), it becomes easier to pick powers that are not overtly supernatural.

3. Having one character who can function in multiple roles seems a bit closer to the archetypal S&S hero, who often works alone. I would still want a party to cover all the necessary roles, of course, but maybe instead of one leader, you need two half-leaders, if you see what I mean.

 

[JPL]

So a party might go something like this:

Fighter / Warlord [Defender / Leader]
Fighter / Ranger [Defender / Striker]
Rogue / Bard [Striker / Leader]
Ranger / Druid [Striker / Controller]
Barbarian / Fighter [Striker / Defender]

So one guy's a shapeshifter, and one knows a smattering of magic tricks, but the rest are just iron sinews and panther-like grace and such.

 

[Piratecat]

I like this idea, and it does a nice job of modelling classic fantasy (for instance, the Grey Mouser was a rogue/wizard.) I find the hybrid rules kind of a pain, honestly, but they're a great way to fine tune a character concept.

 

[Insight]

I like where you're going with the idea, but I think you might want to wait until PHB3 comes out (March, I believe) before making any final decisions. They might tweak the hybrid rules a bit before release.

 

[JPL]

I like this idea, and it does a nice job of modelling classic fantasy (for instance, the Grey Mouser was a rogue/wizard.) I find the hybrid rules kind of a pain, honestly, but they're a great way to fine tune a character concept.

I'd have to play it to see if it works, but I have a notion that Conan or Kull just work better as hybrids. Their exploits are most often about individual prowess, not the sort of synergistic teamwork that 4th Edition does so well. A high-level defender / striker is probably the best starting point for this sort of character --- plenty of hit points, plenty of damage-dealing potential.

 

[JPL]

I like where you're going with the idea, but I think you might want to wait until PHB3 comes out (March, I believe) before making any final decisions. They might tweak the hybrid rules a bit before release.

The final rules were released yesterday via Dragon magazine, so to me, the REAL missing piece of the puzzle is the contents of Martial Power 2.

Sounds like there might be a greatweapon ranger in there . . . a hybrid Greatweapon Fighter / Greatweapon Ranger sounds like a great combo for swords and sorcery.

Might also try a warlord / warlock for the Elric "warrior-scholar dabbling in the black arts" vibe.